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Archive Replay
Friday, October 17, 2025
Sign of the Day
settlement crack
Describes a structural crack in a building, often due to ground movement. Uses two hands to show a line forming
B1 Uncommon Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Technical
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Dominant G-hand (index extended), non-dominant flat B-hand
Dominant G-hand traces downward, jagged or linear path on/near non-dominant B-hand
Discussing property damage, house maintenance, structural issues or reports
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
Use the numbered steps first, then check the sign anatomy cards to clean up the small details that make the sign look fluent instead of approximate.
How to form the sign
- Form non-dominant flat B-hand, palm facing dominant hand.
- Form dominant G-hand (index extended).
- Place dominant G-hand tip near non-dominant B-hand.
- Trace G-hand downwards, slightly jaggedly, along or near B-hand
Coach prompt
Practice the G-hand tracing motion on the B-hand, emphasizing the downward path
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant G-hand (index extended), non-dominant flat B-hand · Code G-hand dominant, B-hand non-dominant
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Near
Palm orientation
Dominant G-hand faces non-dominant. Non-dominant B-hand faces dominant
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
At referent
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mouthing 'crack' or 'settlement'
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
The crack in the wall is a settlement crack
Often accompanied by mouthing 'settlement crack' or 'crack' for clarity
Best fit: Discussing property damage, house maintenance, structural issues or reports
Mirror focus
Practice the G-hand tracing motion on the B-hand, emphasizing the downward path
Catch the slip
Ensure the dominant hand is a clear G-hand and the non-dominant is a flat B-hand
Use it today
The crack in the wall is a settlement crack
Common mistakes: Incorrect handshapes, too smooth movement, confusing with general 'crack'
When not to use it: For minor, non-structural cracks or unrelated breakage. Not for cracks in objects
Regional note: Limited, generally consistent across UK BSL regions
Cultural note: Relevant for homeowners, property professionals, and construction contexts
1.[en] The house has a settlement crack. / BSL:[Sign SETTLEMENT CRACK]
2.[en] Is that a settlement crack? / BSL:[Sign SETTLEMENT CRACK, raise eyebrows]
3.[en] We need to check for settlement cracks. / BSL:[CHECK, SETTLEMENT CRACK]
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Word web
Crack
fissure
structural damage
subsidence
Repair
stability
integrity
Building
house
wall
damage
repair
House
Damage
Building
Wall
CRACK (general) is often one-handed, a quick break motion. 'Settlement crack' is two-handed, showing a specific downward, linear or jagged line forming, implying a structural issue. LINE uses flat hands for a straight path, while 'settlement crack' uses a G-hand to draw a more specific, sometimes deeper, crack
Construction
housing
damage
property
building
Settlement
crack
house crack
building damage
BSL
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